Garmin GPS 50 Owner's Manual
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Garmin GPS 50 Owner's Manual

Garmin gps 50 personal navigator owner's manual
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GPS 50
TM
PERSONAL NAVIGATOR
OWNER'S MANUAL
GARMIN International, Inc.

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  • Page 1 GPS 50 PERSONAL NAVIGATOR OWNER'S MANUAL GARMIN International, Inc.
  • Page 2 GPS 50 Personal Navigator OWNER'S MANUAL (for Software Version 2.0 or above)
  • Page 3 GARMIN. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. GARMIN reserves the right to change or improve their products and to make changes in the content without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements.
  • Page 4 115- or 230-volt battery charger for planning trips at home. This manual and accompanying quick reference card provide complete information on safely operating the GPS 50 to its full potential. Two exciting practice voyages have been planned for you to practice your navigation skills using the built-in simulator.
  • Page 5 The system is under development and is subject to changes which could affect the accuracy and performance of all GPS equipment. Although the GPS 50 is a precision electronic NAVigation AID (NAVAID), any NAVAID can be misused or misinterpreted, and therefore become unsafe.

  • Page 6: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER INTRODUCING THE GARMIN GPS 50 GETTING STARTED BASIC OPERATION 3.10 UNIT CUSTOMIZATION BASIC FEATURES Capabilities Operations Front Panel Banners Cursor and Fields Keypad Operation Entering Data Viewing Messages Operating Modes Power On Satellite Status Present Position...
  • Page 7 4.10 4.11 ADVANCED FEATURES NAVIGATION PLANNING ROUTES SAMPLE SIMULATED TRIP MESSAGES NAVIGATION TERMS INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE MAP DATUMS INDEX Filter Settings Output Map Datum Navigation Menu Date and Time Event Timer Trip Planning Sunrise/Sunset Alarm Clock Navigating Using Routes Route Catalog Editing Routes Activating Routes Building Routes Using AutoStore...

  • Page 8: Operations

    · Trip Planning: Analyze distance and time requirements for your trip. Compute the time of sunrise and sunset at your destination. · Alarms: An alarm clock and timer allow the GPS 50 to watch the clock for you. Arrival, anchor drag, and CDI alerts help you safely navigate your craft.

  • Page 9: Operations

    We encourage you to read through this manual and experiment using the built-in simulator. This will help you quickly master the power of the GPS 50. 1.2 OPERATIONS You may use your GPS 50 for both portable and fixed operations. The unit...

  • Page 10: Getting Started

    CHAPTER 2 GETTING STARTED 2.1 FRONT PANEL The front panel consists of a 20-key keypad and a LCD display which includes three lines of information and various banners. Both the display and keypad are illuminated for operating in darkness. 2.2 BANNERS Information displayed on the LCD is commonly referred to as a “...

  • Page 12: Banners

    2.3 CURSOR AND FIELDS Alphanumeric Field Numeric Field The area of the page which is underlined is called the cursor. The cursor may be moved to locations on the page called fields which allow you to enter data. You will encounter four types of fields. ·...
  • Page 13 The alphanumeric keys allow you to enter letters and numbers into the GPS 50. If you want to enter a number in a numeric field, for instance “ 1” , simply press the 1 key. If you want to enter a letter in an alphanumeric field, for example “...

  • Page 14: Entering Data

    (see Section 4.5). 2.6 VIEWING MESSAGES From time to time, the GPS 50 will use a message to tell you of conditions that need your attention. When the GPS 50 has a new message for you, the MSG banner will flash.

  • Page 15: Operating Modes

    Keep in mind that the GPS 50 is not tracking satellites in the simulator mode. You should never attempt to use the simulator mode for actual navigation. If you are using your GPS 50 for the first time, we encourage you to review Chapter 3 which introduces the GPS 50's basic features. Additionally, you may wish to review Chapter 4 on custom setups.

  • Page 16: Basic Operation

    3.1 POWER ON After you turn your GPS 50 on, it will conduct a series of self tests and display the following notices: “ GARMIN” . Following completion of the tests, the GPS 50 will begin acquiring satellites that will typically take two minutes to obtain a position fix.

  • Page 17: Satellite Status

    The Satellite Status Page may be displayed by pressing the SET key. This page shows the number of satellites tracked and visible, dilution of precision (DOP), and estimated position error (EPE). DOP is a measure of the satellite geometry quality and hence the relative accuracy of your position (1 meaning the best and 10 meaning poor).
  • Page 18 (see Section 4.11), as well as the altitude above mean sea level (MSL). When the GPS 50 is performing 2D navigation, the last known altitude will be used in the latitude/longitude computation. If the altitude is not accurate within a few hundred feet, you should manually enter your altitude.

  • Page 19: Autostore

    3.4 AUTOSTORE Waypoint Name The AutoStore Page is displayed by pressing the ENT key while viewing the Position Page. This page allows you to capture your position at the touch of a button so that you may easily return later. Additionally, you may record your navigation path by inserting the captured waypoints into a route (see Section 6.5).

  • Page 20: Waypoints

    POSN” on line 1 and all navigation data on lines 2 and 3 will be blank. If the GPS 50 is not navigating to a waypoint, the CDI will indicate this condition by displaying “ NO ACT WP” (no active waypoint) and all navigation data except speed and track will be blank.

  • Page 21: Waypoint Definition Page

    Waypoint Name Latitude WAYPOINT DEFINITION PAGE The Waypoint Definition Page may be displayed by pressing the WPT key. It allows you to review, create, modify, delete, and rename waypoints. To create, modify, or review a waypoint · With the cursor under the waypoint name field, enter the desired waypoint name.

  • Page 22: Nearest Waypoints

    3.7 NEAREST WAYPOINTS An important feature of the GPS 50 is the ability to display up to nine waypoints nearest to your position (but not further than 100 nautical miles). In an emergency, you may use the nearest waypoint feature to find the closest point of safety in your area.

  • Page 23: Navigate To A Waypoint

    · Press GOTO. · Press CLR, the GOTO waypoint name will become blank. · Press ENT. The GPS 50 will start to navigate using the active route, if it has been programmed (see Chapter 6). Otherwise, the GPS 50 will cease the computation of all waypoint navigation data.

  • Page 24: Man Overboard

    (GARMIN is located 109°, 11.8 nautical miles from the initial position). Just for fun, let’ s go to GARMIN! Turn on your GPS 50. The power on notices will be displayed followed by the Satellite Status Page as illustrated below.
  • Page 25 The GPS 50 is ready to accept your commands! Select the simulator mode... · Press SET until the Set Menu is displayed. · Press MORE until “ OP MODE?” is displayed. · Press ENT to display the Operating Mode Page.
  • Page 26 Press MORE to select a different display option. Experiment with your GPS 50! · Now that you are on your way to GARMIN, why don’ t you take some time to experiment with the GPS 50? Press each page selection key to become familiar with available pages.

  • Page 27: Unit Customization

    CHAPTER 4 UNIT CUSTOMIZATION The GPS 50 is designed for maximum flexibility. The unit features Setup Pages which allow you to customize your unit by setting a wide variety of parameters. You may cycle through the Satellite Status, Setup Menu, and Message Pages as illustrated below by pressing the SET key repeatedly until the desired page is displayed.

  • Page 28: Operating Mode

    4.2 OPERATING MODE The GPS 50 provides you with the capability to select from three modes which will allow you to operate your unit in the manner which best suits your needs. To select the operating mode... · With the cursor under the mode select field, press MORE until the desired operating mode is displayed (Normal, Battery Saver, or Simulator mode as described in Section 2.7).

  • Page 29: Backlighting Timeout

    To arm/disarm the anchor drag alarm... · Press MORE until “ ANCHR ALR” is displayed. Press the right arrow key to move the cursor to line two. · To arm the anchor drag alarm, enter a non-zero distance. If your boat drifts away from the anchored position more than the specified distance, you will be informed with an alarm tone and the message “...

  • Page 30: Audio Settings

    “ NO TONES” to turn off both. 4.6 NAVIGATION UNITS Units Select The GPS 50 allows you to select the distance, speed, and altitude units that best suit your needs. AUDIO SETUP PAGE UNITS PAGE Tone Select...

  • Page 31: Cdi Scale

    Statute units (mi, mh, ft), or Metric units (km, kh, mt). 4.7 CDI SCALE The GPS 50 allows you to set the scale for the CDI displayed on the CDI Page (see Section 3.5). The CDI scale refers to the distance that is represented by the CDI.

  • Page 32: Filter Settings

    4.9 FILTER SETTINGS Position/ Velocity Select The GPS 50 allows you to choose the filter response time for position and velocity outputs. This may aid you in smoothing the data in rough seas or for sail boating. To select filter response time...

  • Page 33: Map Datum

    (or other electronic devices) are created using a different datum, you must set the GPS 50 map datum for consistency (a position in the WGS- 84 datum could differ by 1000 feet or more from one calculated using another datum).
  • Page 34 To select a standard map datum... · With the cursor under the map datum select field, press MORE or the arrow keys until the desired map datum is displayed. Refer to Appendix C for a list of the standard map datums. To select a user map datum...

  • Page 35: Date And Time

    NAVIGATION PLANNING The GPS 50 provides a menu page under the NAV key which allows you to select from a menu of time and planning functions. You may cycle through the Navigation Pages by pressing the NAV key repeatedly until the desired page is displayed.

  • Page 36: Event Timer

    · Press MORE to select either “ LCL” (local) or “ UTC” . The GPS 50 will keep track of local as well as UTC time. UTC, which is essentially the same as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), does not change with local time zones.
  • Page 37 · Press ENT. The timer will start counting down. When the timer reaches zero, you will be informed with the message “ TIMER EXP” and the timer will begin to count up showing you the elapsed time since the timer has expired. To stop the count down timer...

  • Page 38: Trip Planning

    · Enter the to waypoint. If you wish to use your present position, leave it blank. The GPS 50 will display the great circle distance and bearing between the two geographical points. In addition, the time requirement will be displayed based on your present speed.

  • Page 39: Alarm Clock

    UTC time based on your selection on the Date/Time Page (see Section 5.2). 5.6 ALARM CLOCK The Alarm Clock Page on the GPS 50 allows you to concentrate on other important tasks while the GPS 50 watches the clock for you! To set the alarm clock...

  • Page 40: Routes

    Active Leg HOME (Active from Waypoint) The GPS 50 offers a route navigation feature for you to navigate along a pre- defined sequence of waypoints. The GPS 50 route capability allows you to create and store ten routes, each containing up to nine waypoints. Routes 1 to 9, the storage routes, can be activated to travel either in the order you defined the waypoints or in reverse order.

  • Page 41: Route Catalog

    Route Catalog Page 6.2 ROUTE CATALOG The Route Catalog Page provides a list of the routes stored in the GPS 50. This page shows the route number, first/last waypoints in the route, and the total distance traversed by the route. For example, in the illustration above, route A begins at FMYR (Fort Myers, Florida), ends at NSAU (Nassau in the Bahamas), and is 365 nautical miles long.

  • Page 42: Editing Routes

    You may press the MORE key to select route editing, activation, copy and deletion functions. 6.3 EDITING ROUTES From Waypoint Desired Track Number (L0...L8) The Route Review Page displays the waypoints of a route and allows you to create, change, and review routes. It shows the route and leg numbers, the two waypoints composing the leg, and the distance and desired track between the two waypoints.
  • Page 43 · Press MORE until “ EDIT?” is displayed. Press the ENT key. The Route Review Page will be displayed showing the waypoints of the first leg. You may view additional legs by pressing the left or right arrow key while the cursor is under the “ to waypoint.” ·...

  • Page 44: Activating Routes

    the active route (route A) before activating another route. Also, you may copy a route and then make changes to form a new route. To copy a route... · Select the desired route on the Route Catalog Page and press ENT. ·...
  • Page 45 Immediately after activating a route, the Active Route Page will be displayed. This page displays the leg number (L1 to L8, meaning legs 1 through 8 of the selected route, or AL meaning the active leg), the two waypoints composing the leg, the desired track between the two waypoints, and the enroute distance and time from your present position to the “...

  • Page 46: Autostore Tm

    6.5 BUILDING ROUTES USING AutoStore GARMIN’ s AutoStore capture your position and store it in the route of your choice at the touch of a button. By doing so, you are building a route consisting of waypoints stored along the path you travel.
  • Page 47 When you are ready to return, use the Route Catalog Page to activate the route you created in reverse order. The GPS 50 will automatically guide you back to your destination by passing over the waypoints you created! As an added benefit, you now have a route that will take you back to your fishing spot at any time.

  • Page 48: Sample Simulated Trip

    You are planning a trip from Ft. Myers, Florida to the Dry Tortugas and then on to Key West, Florida. Turn on your GPS 50. The power on notices will be displayed followed by the Satellite Status Page as illustrated below.
  • Page 49 Select the simulator mode... · Press SET until the Set Menu is displayed. · Press MORE until “ OP MODE?” is displayed. · Press ENT to display the Operating Mode Page. · Press MORE until “ SIMULATR?” is displayed, then press ENT. You have just selected the simulator mode.
  • Page 50 Since your trip starts at Ft. Myers, you need to set your GPS 50 position to that location. Set your GPS 50 position... · Press NAV until the Position Page is displayed. NOTE: The position will be changing by your entered speed.
  • Page 51 Create a waypoint named KWST, the Key West area of South Florida. · With the cursor under the waypoint name, enter KWST. Begin by pressing the 4 key (which also has a “ K” printed on it). The letter “ K” is displayed. Press the 8 key (which also has a “...
  • Page 52 · Enter the waypoint name DRYT, latitude (N24°38.00') and longitude (W082° 55.07'). Create a waypoint named FMYR which is the name for Fort Myers, Florida. · Move the cursor back under the waypoint name field. · Enter the waypoint name FMYR, latitude (N26°35.17'), and longitude (W081°51.81').
  • Page 53 · Enter the waypoint name FMYR followed by the ENT key. You have just entered Ft. Myers as the waypoint from which your voyage will start. · Enter DRYT as the second waypoint of the route. · Enter KWST as the third waypoint of the route.
  • Page 54 Experiment with your GPS 50! · Now that you have started on your fantasy trip to the Dry Tortugas, why don’ t you take some time to experiment with the GPS 50? Press each page selection key to become familiar with available pages. Practice using the cyclic fields to display new information.
  • Page 55 VHF com. You may wish to shorten your trip by heading directly to Key West, Florida. Simply press GOTO. The Active Route Page will be displayed. · Enter KWST. The GPS 50 will set an instantaneous course and you are on your way to Key West!

  • Page 56: Amessages

    HIGH EPE - The accuracy of the GPS 50 position is degraded beyond 500 meters due to satellite geometry or data quality. Additional cross checking should be performed by the user to verify the integrity of the GPS 50 position.
  • Page 57 NO EMP RT - There are no empty routes available into which another route may be copied. The GPS 50 will not allow you to copy a route to a non-empty route. POOR CVRG - The GPS 50 cannot acquire sufficient satellites necessary to provide navigation.

  • Page 58: B.1 Definitions

    APPENDIX B NAVIGATION TERMS B.1 DEFINITIONS This section provides an illustration of and definitions for the navigation terms used in this manual.
  • Page 59 Velocity/time terms: Ground speed. GS is the speed measured relative to the ground; also known as velocity over ground (VOG). Velocity made good. VMG is velocity in the direction of the desired course. It is the speed at which you are closing on the “ active to” waypoint.

  • Page 60: Course To Steer (Cts

    B.2 COURSE TO STEER (CTS) Course To Steer is a GARMIN exclusive that recommends an optimal direction to steer that will guide you to the course and proceed efficiently along your route.
  • Page 61 As an example, suppose you activate the route illustrated above. The GPS 50 chooses the closest leg with a desired track of 45 degrees but your position happens to be two nautical miles off course. The unit will automatically compute the optimal course to steer (which is 15° in this example). Press the NAV key until the CDI Page is displayed, then select “...

  • Page 62: C.1 Specifications

    Humidity: PERFORMANCE Receiver: Acquisition Time: (typical) Update Rate: APPENDIX C GPS 50 SPECIFICATIONS Waterproof Portable: 3.23"w x 6.26"h x 1.46"d (82mm x 159mm x 37mm) Fixed: 3.23"w x 4.87"h x 1.46"d (82mm x 124mm x 37mm) 14 ounces (0.4 kg) without battery pack 19.5 ounces (0.55) with battery pack...
  • Page 63 Accuracy: Dynamics: INTERFACES NMEA 0180 NMEA 0182 NMEA 0183 (Version 1.5; December 1987) Approved sentences: GPBWC, GPGLL, GPRMB, GPRMC, GPR00, GPWPL, GPXTE Proprietary sentences: PGRMA Transmission rate: GPBWC, GPGLL, GPRMB, GPRMC, GPXTE, and PGRMA transmitted once every two seconds. GPR00 transmitted once every (# of route waypoints + 1) * 2 seconds.

  • Page 64: C.2 Electrical Wiring

    · Connect the BLACK harness lead to the negative (-) side of the 5-40 volt DC power source. The GPS 50 will drive a remote alarm or relay that requires no more than 100 milliamps of current. (WARNING: Devices which draw current in excess of 100 milliamperes may damage your unit and will void your warranty.

  • Page 65: Universal Mount Installation

    (The opposite end of the shield should not be grounded.) C.3 UNIVERSAL MOUNT INSTALLATION The GPS 50 is equipped with a universal mount for fixed installations. The universal mount may be installed above the dash or attached to a surface as shown below.
  • Page 66 To install universal mount above dash... · The universal mount is completely assembled and ready for fixed installation above dash. Mount the base to the boat dash using appropriate screws (#8 flat head screws are recommended). To install universal mount on a surface...
  • Page 67 · Remove the E-ring from the special screw under the base using a pair of pliers. · Remove the lever. · Unscrew the special screw and remove it from the base. · The base, lever, detent pin, detent spring, plastic spacer, and wave washer may be set aside (these parts are not used for surface installation).

  • Page 68: Universal Mount Operation

    C.4 UNIVERSAL MOUNT OPERATION The universal mount has been designed for easy insertion and removal of your GPS 50 if you wish to use the unit in another boat or vehicle, plan at home, or prevent theft. To insert the GPS 50 into the universal mount...
  • Page 69 · Disconnect the antenna or antenna cable. · Apply enough force to the release tab to allow the unit to pass as shown above. · Pull the bottom of the GPS 50 out, then rotate the top downward and out. To adjust the universal mount angle...

  • Page 70: Battery Pack Operation

    C.5 BATTERY PACK OPERATION The GPS 50 is supplied with a sealed, 4-cell alkaline battery pack. The battery pack must be removed from the unit in order to replace the cells. To remove the battery pack... · Push down on the spring tab on the right side of the battery pack.

  • Page 71: C.6 Maintenance

    C.6 MAINTENANCE The GPS 50 is constructed of high quality material and should not require user maintenance. Please refer any repairs to an authorized GARMIN service center. (The unit contains no user serviceable parts, do not attempt repairs yourself.)

  • Page 72: C.7 Customer Support

    50 detects a low memory battery, you will be informed with the message “ MEM BATT” . You should return your unit to an authorized GARMIN service center as soon as possible for service. Failure to do so may result in loss of data each time you turn your unit off (indicated by the message “...

  • Page 73: Map Datums

    The following is a list of the GPS 50 map datum selections and the corresponding map datum name (including the area of application): ADINDAN ADINDAN - Ethiopia, Mali, Senegal, Sudan AFGOOYE AFGOOYE - Somalia AIN ELABD AIN EL ABD 1970 - Bahrain Island, Saudi Arabia...
  • Page 74 EUROPE 79 EUROPEAN 1979 - Austria, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland FIN HYFRD FINLAND HAYFORD 1910 - Finland GANDAJIKA GANDAJIKA BASE - Republic of Maldives GEOD 49 GEODETIC DATUM 1949 - New Zealand GUAM 1963 GUAM 1963 - Guam Island GUX ASTRO GUX 1 ASTRO - Guadalcanal Island HJORSY 55...
  • Page 75 NAD27 C A NORTH AMERICAN 1927 - Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua) NAD27 CUB NORTH AMERICAN 1927 - Cuba NAD27 GRN NORTH AMERICAN 1927 - Greenland (Hayes Peninsula) NAD27 MEX NORTH AMERICAN 1927 - Mexico NAD83 NORTH AMERICAN 1983 - Alaska, Canada, Central America, CONUS, Mexico...
  • Page 76 VITI LEVU VITI LEVU 1916 - Viti Levu Island (Fiji Islands) WAK-ENWTK WAKE-ENIWETOK 1960 - Marshall Islands ZANDERIJ ZANDERIJ - Surinam WGS 72 WORLD GEODETIC SYSTEM 1972 WGS 84 WORLD GEODETIC SYSTEM 1984...

  • Page 77: Index

    Active from waypoint Active route Active Route Page Active to waypoint Alarm Clock Page Alarm Page Alarms Alphanumeric field Altitude manual entry units Anchor drag alarm Arrival alarm Audio Setup Page AutoStore Page Backlighting adjusting timeout Backlighting Page Banners Battery pack AA size Rechargeable Removing...
  • Page 78 Magnetic variation Magnetic Variation Page Maintenance Man overboard Manual altitude entry Map datum Map Datum Page Message banner Message Page Navigation Navigation Menu Navigation units Nearest Waypoint Page NMEA output Normal mode Numeric field Operating mode Operating Mode Page Output, NMEA Output Page Page Position Page...
  • Page 79 GARMIN International, Inc. 9875 Widmer Road Lenexa, KS 66215 1-800-800-1020 (913) 599-1515 190-00015-01 Rev. B...

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